Pick of the week,Other People’s Money

BENDIGO’S residential Strategy will be reviewed because of greater than expected growth.

The State Government has announced a grant of $50,000 to carry out the review.

The review is needed because, according to the State Government, 40 per cent of the forecast growth between 2006 and 2031 had already been realised.

Regional Development Parliamentary Secretary Damian Drum made the announcement this morning.

Mr Drum said the Bendigo Residential Strategy Review would deliver greater community and investor certainty, helping the region grow.

“The Bendigo Residential Development Strategy was adopted in 2004 and is currently being audited because of the faster than anticipated growth that has occurred in Bendigo in recent years,” he said.

“Strong residential growth has many flow-on economic benefits and having a clear framework for future development will position Greater Bendigo City Council to undertake more detailed, place-based planning in the future.”

Deputy Premier Peter Ryan said about 40 per cent of the forecast growth between 2006 and 2031 had already been realised.

The Residential Strategy impacts directly on where and how property developments use “infill” parcels of land, range of housing styles and also on housing affordability.

“This project will review the strategy, assess current and estimated land supply and demand and consider various legislative and policy changes,” Mr Ryan said,

“It will also consider the latest demographic data and establish a new strategic framework to guide the long-term residential growth of Greater Bendigo.

“The project will result in a revised residential strategy that will give developers, the community and service providers greater surety and confidence about where land can be developed for residential purposes, and that sufficient land is available to accommodate the City of Greater Bendigo’s future growth.”

Mr Ryan said a contemporary strategic planning framework was essential to the economic development of a large regional centre like Bendigo.

“Clearly identifying future growth options and supporting infrastructure needs will enable the Greater Bendigo City Council and other infrastructure providers to plan their capital works programs well in advance,” he said.

“Identifying long-term growth areas will enable the council and other service authorities to start planning for the delivery of services, thereby minimising the lag time between when residential development occurs and when the services need to be in place.”

| Bendigo Weekly | 12-May-2011 2.42

Other People’s Money
Justin Cartwright
Bloomsbury, $32.99

Why a new novel by Justin Cartwright is not heralded with the same fanfare as happens when Martin Amis or Joanna Trollope, say, release a new one is puzzling.
His books are funny, sharp, incredibly entertaining and ruthlessly revelatory of contemporary manners – you’d think we’d be falling over ourselves to get to them.
But he has never really taken off here in Australia, and in the UK, where he moved from South Africa decades ago.
This one is an economical foray into the world of the super-rich whose family wealth and financial connections quarantine them from the ordinary moral values. A deal made to avoid the repercussions of shonky decisions within a family-owned highly-credentialed bank begins to unravel, and everyone connected starts to duck for cover.
Brilliantly plotted, with scenes that will have you groaning and laughing in equal measure, Other People’s Money is not comfortingly romantic, nor violently exciting: it’s clever, urgent social satire.
Despite leaning towards caricature, unfortunately Cartwright’s portraits of bankers, failed theatre directors, trophy wives and (way too close to the bone, this one) small-town journalists ring true. It’s awfully good writing.
- Rosemary Sorensen

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